For students that are looking to get involved and meet new people, the UNCW Center for Leadership Education and Service is the place to go. They offer several volunteering opportunities for students both on and off campus.

The center has two main focuses: leadership education and service. “We offer a variety of programs, to help students learn more about themselves and talents they have,” said community services coordinator Becky Long. The center offers a wide variety of volunteering opportunities both on and off campus. “You meet a lot of people through trips and service projects, and also at the volunteer sites,” senior Raven Davis said.Students who want to volunteer but do not want to make a major time commitment should take part in Seahawk Surges.

Seahawk Surges are usually half-day outings that allow students to go out into the community and help out. Some of the many surges offered this semester are Habitat Work Day, a Blood Drive, a Halloween Carnival for Kids, and Adopt-a-Family.

“The Surges are a good way of getting to know other students, doing something you enjoy, and finding out about the community to see if you want to get involved more,” Long said.

“Volunteering is a good way to connect the school with the community, and to show that the students are here, and that we care about Wilmington,” senior Scott Burrell said.

The center also offers Fall and Spring Break trips, where students go to another part of the country to volunteer.

They also help place students that want to volunteer on their own. The Center has directories so that students can go in and tell them their interests, and they will help try to find a place that is right for the student. “Agencies will call us and tell us their needs,” Long said. Some of these agencies include the Humane Society, Good Shepherd, Girls Inc., Coastal Horizons and after school programs.

Schools need a lot of help with tutoring and mentoring. “Students can have a really big impact by giving an hour or two a week of your time for a semester to tutor a student,” Long said.

“Through volunteering I have learned a lot about myself and the world around me. It is empowering to know that I can go beyond the box and change things,” junior Rebecca Tatum said.

The center will provide a time sheet for students to keep track and validate the hours that they have volunteered. Students can then request a copy of this transcript after graduation for job resumes.

“Volunteering not only offers the self-satisfaction of really being able to make a difference, but also self-knowledge as to what you want to do in the future,” Long said.

Anyone can volunteer, and there is no set amount of time required. Students that are interested should go to the University Union, room 212.

The center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students interested in finding out more about the Seahawk Surges can call 962-3877 to register.